Adaptable pyrotechnic candle with disposable folding shield

ABSTRACT

A high intensity pyrotechnic candle with disposable, foldable shield for producing a temporarily blinding light source as a mob dispersal means during periods of reduced light and consists of a conical shield of aluminum backed, asbestos cloth, reinforced by a plurality of flat steel springs secured longitudinally to the cloth and attached at their rearward ends to a bushing which receives the candle. The bushing is inserted into an adaptor having embedded electrical contacts. The adaptor is screwed onto the lens cap threads of a standard hand flashlight. The candle is then ignited by turning on the flashlight&#39;&#39;s switch.

United States Patent Shira et al.

[54] ADAPTABLE PYROTECHNIC CANDLE WITI-I DISPOSABLE FOLDING SHIELD [72]Inventors: Glenn L. Shlra, Newark, Del.; Joseph N. Ruff, Havre de Grace,Md.

[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by theSecretary of the Navy [22] Filed: Dec. 21 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 100,017

[52] U.S. Cl. ..l02/37.8, l02/37.3., 1'02/37.4 [51] Int. Cl. ..C06d1/10, C06d 1/04 [58] Field of Search....l02/37.3, 37.4, 37.8, 35, 35.2,

[56] References Cited UNl'lED STATES PATENTS 2,003,660 6/1935 Yamaguchiet a1...102/37.3 X 2,751,582 6/1956 Kuykendall ..102/37.8 X

[451 Oct. 17, 1972 Huff ..102/35 Albin ..102/356 [57] ABSTRACT A highintensity pyrotechnic candle with disposable, foldable shield forproducing a temporarily blinding light source as a mob dispersal meansduring periods of reduced light and consists of a conical shield ofaluminum backed, asbestos cloth, reinforced by a plurality of flat steelsprings secured longitudinally to the cloth and attached at theirrearward ends to a bushing which receives the candle. The bushing isinserted into an adaptor having embedded electrical contacts. Theadaptor is screwed onto the lens cap threads of a standard handflashlight. The candle is then ignited by turning on the flashlightsswitch.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDUBTIY 2 3.698.318

INVENTORS,

Glen/7 LShira Joseph N. Ruff WM 5% y- ATTORNEYS.

ADAPTABLE PYROTECHNIC CANDLE WITH DISPOSABLE FOLDING SHIELD Theinvention described herein may be manufactured, used, and licensed by orfor the Government for governmental purposes without the payment to meof any royalty thereon.

The present invention relates to a pyrotechnic candle and collapsibleheat and light shield assembly for attachment to a standard, hand heldflashlight for use in producing a temporarily blinding light source forquelling mobs; etc.

Recent civil disorders in various cities have necessitated various waysof controlling and/or disbanding groups of people intent upon orperforming acts of violence and destruction. Conventional lawenforcement practices include high pressure water and lachrymators andthese means may be somewhat difficult during periods of darkness due toinability of aiming a water hose or throwing a tear gas grenade withoutcausing bodily harm.

The present invention proposes to employ a high density pyrotechniccandle to produce a temporarily blinding light, much as a photographersflash. However hand held pyrotechnic candles also blind the user, andfurther, there is no protection from the heat of the burning candle.

The present invention provides a means for conveniently holding apyrotechnic candle while burning and also to protect the user from theillumination and heat produced by the burning. The invention consists ofa collapsible shield attached to the base of the candle and an adaptorfitted to a standard flashlight. The candle and shield is quicklyinserted into the adaptor and the candle is ignited by the flashlightbatteries when the operator actuates the flashlights switch. The burningcandle will cause temporary disorientation, confusion and flashblindness, thereby transforming mass action ofa mob to individualreaction.

It is therefore a principal object of this invention to provide a heatand light shield pyrotechnic candle to be quickly mounted or dismountedto a standard hand flashlight for mob control.

Another object is to provide an adaptor having electrical contactsembedded therein to be substituted for the lens and reflector of astandard flashlight, the adaptor detachably receiving a shieldedpyrotechnic candle.

A still further object is to provide a collapsible heat and light shieldfor attachment to the base of a pyrotechnic candle.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description when taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevation of the shield and pyrotechnic candle assemblyas attached to a standard flashlight;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the adaptor and inassembled condition, and,

FIG. 3 is a detail section taken along line 33 of FIG. 1. v

. Referring in detail to the drawing wherein like reference numeralsdenote like parts throughout the several views, reference character 1refers generally to a standard flashlight and which includes a hand heldbattery case 2, operating switch 3 and an externally threaded portion 4for receiving a lens cap, omitted.

An adaptor, designated generally by 5, best seen in FIG. 2 is providedfor the substitution of the usual lens and reflector, not shown, of theflashlight. Adaptor 5 is a tubular body of electrically insulatedmaterial having an internally threaded, annular recess 6 in its rearwardend adapted for threadable engagement on externally threaded portion 4.An annular recess 7 is provided in its forward portion for a purpose tobe described. Electrical contacting members are provided in adaptor 5and consists of a central positive contact 8 embedded in adaptor 5, anda negative contact 9 also embedded in adaptor 5. A modified reflector 10connected to contact 9 and disposed in recess 6 provides a negativecontact through the case of flashlight 1, as shown.

A pyrotechnic candle and heat and light shield is provided and thisassembly consists of a tubular bushing 11 of an electrically insulatingmaterial and is of a diameter to fit snugly in annular recess 7 ofadaptor 5. A high intensity pyrotechnic candle 12 is secured at its basein bushing 11. A heat and light shield indicated generally by 13 isfixed to bushing 11 as shown best in FIG. 2. Shield 13 is of an aluminumbacked cloth 14 and is conical in shape when extended. A plurality ofstays 15 are made of flexible material secured to the outer surface ofcloth 14 in a longitudinal manner. A method of securing stays 15 is seenin FIG. 3 wherein a strip of material 17 such as woven cloth or plasticis secured to cloth 14 to form a pocket in which stay 15 is contained.Each of the stays 15 are connected to bushing 11 at its rearward end byscrews 16 which pass through bushing 11 and into the base of candle 12,as shown. Stays 15 may be constructed of flat spring steel or similarresilient metal, and normally the unattached ends spring out to supportcloth 14 in an outwardly flaring shape, seen in FIG. 1.

In assembly, the lens, lens cap and reflector of flashlight 1, notshown, are removed. Adaptor 5 is threadably mounted on portion 4 andscrewed tight. Positive contact 8 will contact the positive contact 18of flashlight 1 and the negative side of the circuit will be establishedby modified reflector 10 which is in contact with the metal of portion 4and through negative contact 9 in adaptor 5.

The flashlight 1 is now ready to receive the bushing 11, base of candlel2 and shield 13. Bushing 11 is inserted into recess 7 and a positivecontact 19 in candle 12 contacts positive contact 8 of adaptor 5. Leads20 connect contacts 8 and 9 with an igniter, not shown in the forwardportion of candle 12. To ignite candle 12 the operator merely turns onswitch 3 of the flashlight. Usually, two D batteries, not shown, inbattery case 2 supply the necessary electric power source.

After candle 12 has burnt out, the assembly can be quickly removed andanother candle and shield as sembly inserted. Normally a pyrotechniccandle will burn approximately 60 seconds and furnishes a brilliantlight. Shield 13 will protect the user from the heat and light, thusenabling the user to hold the device by hand to direct the light atwill.

Shield 13 may be folded by gathering together the forward portion andencircling the stays with a rubber band, or the like. When the assemblyis inserted into adaptor 5, the band, not shown, is removed and thestays i5 spring outward, thus opening the shield automatically.

The device of the invention may have many other uses besides mobcontrol, some are: a tactical ambush light for military forces,emergency lighting during power failures, signal light for downed airmenor yet a light source for search parties.

It is apparent that a novel means has been devised for quelling mobs aswell as for many other uses.

What is claimed is:

l. pyrotechnic device comprising, in combination with a flashlight bodyincluding a battery housing, a switch, a positive electrical contact, anegative electrical contact, and a substantially cylindrical open endportion in the region of said contacts:

a tubular adaptor of electrically insulating material removably engagedwith said open end portion of said flashlight body, electrical contactmeans mounted in said adaptor and coating with said contacts in saidflashlight body, a bushing detachably interfitting with said adaptor, ahigh intensity pyrotechnic candle secured at its base in said bushingand a heat and light shielding member secured at its rearward end tosaid bushing;

whereby said candle may be ignited by operation of the switch of saidflashlight to produce a light of high intensity.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said substantially cylindricalopen end portions of said flashlight body and said tubular adaptor arescrewthreaded for releasable engagement with each other.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adaptor comprises atubular body of electrical insulating material having an internallythreaded rearward portion for threadable engagement on the lens capportion of said flashlight, an annular recess in the forward portion ofsaid adaptor for the insertion of said bushing, a positive contactembedded centrally therein and a modified reflector having a negativecontact embedded in said adaptor, said modified reflector being disposedwithin said internally threaded portion of said adaptor whereby saidpositive and negative contacts in said adaptor will mate with thepositive and negative contacts of said flashlight when said adaptor ismounted thereon and whereby said candle may be ignited by operation ofthe switch of said flashlight.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bushing comprises atubular length of electrical insulating material adapted for insertionin said adaptor.

5. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat and lightshielding member comprises a flexible, outwardly flaring cone and aseries of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally disposed stayssecured to said cone and attached at their rearward ends to saidbushing.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said flexible cone isfabricated from an aluminum backed, heat resistant cloth.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein said heat resistant cloth isasbestos cloth.

8. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein each said stay comprises alength of flat, spring steel.

9. A pyrotechnic device comprising a tubular adaptor of electricallyinsulating material, said adaptor being removably engageable with theupper end of the body of a switch operated flashlight, a pair ofelectrical contacts mounted in said adaptor for making filectrjcalconnections with electrical contacts in san ashlight egg-33 UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE QERTIFICATE OF CQRREfiTWN Patent No. 3,698,318Dated 11 October 107? Inventor(s) GLENN L. SHIRA AND JOSEPH N. RUFF Itis certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Face page, left column, Item 73], third line "Navy"should read.--Army--.

Column 3, line 9 (Claim 1, first line), before "pyrotechnic" insert--A--.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of April 1973 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents age UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORREC'NNPatent No. 3,698,318 Dated 17 t ber 97 Inventor(s) GLENN L. SHIRA ANDJOSEPH N. RUFF It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Face page, left column, Item L 73 7, third. line "Navy"should read.--Army-- Column 3, line 9 (Claim 1, first line), before "pyrotechnic"insert --A--.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of April 1975 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PatentNo. 3 698318 Dated 17 October 197? Inventor(s) GLENN L. SHIRA AND JOSEPHN. RUFF It is certified that error appears in the above-identifiedpatent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Face page, left column, Item 73], third line "Navy"should read --Army--.

Column 3, line 9 (Claim 1, first line), before "pyrotechnic" insert--A--.

Signed and sealed this 10th day of April 1973.,

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M FLETCHER JR ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. PYROTECHNIC DEVICE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION WITH A FLASHLIGHT BODYINCLUDING A BATTERY HOUSING, A SWITCH, A POSITIVE ELECTRICAL CONTACT, ANEGATIVE ELECTRICAL CONTACT, AND A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL OPEN ENDPORTION IN THE REGION OF SAID CONTACTS: A TUBULAR ADAPTOR OFELECTRICALLY INSULATING MATERIAL REMOVABLY ENGAGED WITH SAID OPEN ENDPORTION OF SAID FLASHLIGHT BODY, ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEANS MOUNTED INSAID ADAPTOR AND COATING WITH SAID CONTACTS IN SAID FLASHLIGHT BODY, ABUSHING DETACHABLY INTERFITTING WITH SAID ADAPTOR, A HIGH INTENSITYPYROTECHNIC CANDLE SECURED AT ITS BASE IN SAID BUSHING AND A HEAT ANDLIGHT SHIELDING MEMBER SECURED AT ITS REARWARD END TO SAID BUSHING;WHEREBY SAID CANDLE MAY BE IGNITED BY OPERATION OF THE SWITCH OF SAIDFLASHLIGHT TO PRODUCE A LIGHT OF HIGH INTENSITY.
 2. A device accordingto claim 1, wherein said substantially cylindrical open end portions ofsaid flashlight body and said tubular adaptor are screw-threaded forreleasable engagement with each other.
 3. A device as set forth in claim1 wherein said adaptor comprises a tubular body of electrical insulatingmaterial having an internally threaded rearward portion for threadableengagement on the lens cap portion of said flashlight, an annular recessin the forward portion of said adaptor for the insertion of saidbushing, a positive contact embedded centrally therein and a modifiedreflector having a negative contact embedded in said adaptor, saidmodified reflector being disposed within said internally threadedportion of said adaptor whereby said positive and negative contacts insaid adaptor will mate with the positive and negative contacts of saidflashlight when said adaptor is mounted thereon and whereby said candlemay be ignited by operation of the switch of said flashlight.
 4. Adevice as set forth in claim 1 wherein said bushing comprises a tubularlength of electrical insulating material adapted for insertion in saidadaptor.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said heat and lightshielding member comprises a flexible, outwardly flaring cone and aseries of circumferentially spaced, longitudinally disposed stayssecured to said cone and attached at their rearward ends to saidbushing.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said flexible cone isfabricated from an aluminum backed, heat resistant cloth.
 7. A deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein said heat resistant cloth is asbestoscloth.
 8. A device as claimed in claim 5 wherein each said staycomprises a length of flat, spring steel.
 9. A pyrotechnic devicecomprising a tubular adaptor of electrically insulating material, saidadaptor being removably engageable with the upper end of the body of aswitch operated flashlight, a pair of electrical contacts mounted insaid adaptor for making electrical connections with electrical contactsin said flashlight body when said adaptor is in place on said flashlightbody, a bushing detachably insertable in said adaptor, a high intensitypyrotechnic candle secured at its base in said bushing and a heat andlight shielding member secured at its rearward end to said bushing;whereby said candle may be ignited by operation of the switch of saidflashlight to produce a light of high intensity.